Hair loss can feel incredibly frustrating—and incredibly isolating. Whether you’re noticing extra strands in the shower, thinning at your part, or shedding after an illness or pregnancy, one thing’s for sure: you’re not alone. As a board-certified dermatologist, I see the same myths pop up over and over again—on TikTok, in comments, and in the exam room. So in this post, I’m breaking down five facts (plus a bonus tip) I wish everyone knew about hair loss. These will save so much time, frustration, and money in your hair journey. Some of them may surprise you—but they’ll help you save time, money, and stress in the long run.

Let’s get into it!

🎥 Prefer video? Click here to watch the full YouTube video where I walk through all six tips in under 10 minutes.

Tip 1: Dry Shampoo Can Contribute to Hair Loss

This might surprise you; dry shampoo can actually cause hair loss.

Now, I hate to be the bearer of bad news because dry shampoo is a lifesaver when you don’t want to wash your hair every day. I’m not saying you can never use it. I’m saying you should reconsider how often you’re using it—and which product you’re choosing.

Dry shampoo can build up on the scalp and clog your hair follicles, which can lead to shedding. It also traps sweat, dirt, and oil on the scalp, creating an unhealthy environment where hair does not thrive.

So if you’re a frequent user, dry shampoo might be contributing to hair breakage and unwanted shedding.

You don’t have to ditch it completely—just use it sparingly. You might also want to switch to a powder dry shampoo (I love Primally Pure Light Lock / Primally Pure Dark Lock) instead of an aerosol spray. Powders tend to be gentler on the scalp and follicles, even if sprays are easier to use and distribute.

Tip 2: Illness Can Cause Sudden Hair Shedding (Telogen Effluvium)

You can experience extreme, sudden hair shedding—called telogen effluvium—after an illness like the flu or another virus.

Here’s what happens: the illness puts stress on your body, which pushes your hair into the telogen (shedding) phase. Then, about 2 to 3 months after the illness, you may suddenly notice dramatic hair loss.

This typically lasts 3 to 9 months, and then your hair regrows and returns to normal.

So if you’re noticing sudden shedding and haven’t just had a baby, think back to your health 2 to 3 months ago. Were you sick or stressed? That might be the cause.

The good news: this is temporary. Most people will regrow their hair without any intervention.

Tip 3: You Don’t Need Expensive Supplements for Postpartum Hair Loss

If you’re dealing with postpartum hair loss, you don’t need an expensive supplement to grow your hair back.

Almost everyone regrows their hair naturally—without help. That’s just how postpartum hair loss works.

About 2 to 4 months after giving birth, hormonal changes push your hair into the shedding phase, causing dramatic hair fall. This can last 6 to 12 months and, yes, it’s tough—but your hair will rebalance and regrow on its own.

My Thoughts on Hair Supplements

Most people don’t need them to return to baseline. If you have a true nutritional deficiency, then yes, supplements can help—but that’s rare if you have a normal diet and lifestyle.

Some supplements have clinical studies or anecdotal support showing improved hair growth. If you want to take them, that’s totally fine—just check with your healthcare provider. Many aren’t regulated and can cause changes in lab values, so be cautious.

If you do want to try a hair supplement, be mindful of:

• The ingredients (especially biotin, which can affect lab test results)
  
• The brand’s reputation
  
• Speaking with your doctor first

Tip 4: You Should Wash Your Hair More, Not Less

This might be a hot take—but washing your hair is a good thing.

It removes dirt, oil, sweat, and product buildup from the scalp and follicles. It prevents the overgrowth of yeast and bacteria, helps reduce breakage, and minimizes unwanted shedding.

How Often Should You Wash?

It depends on your hair type, scalp condition, and lifestyle—but generally, every 1 to 3 days is ideal.

Washing your hair does not cause hair loss. It’s normal to lose 50–100 hairs per day (even up to 200 for some). Washing simply loosens and removes hairs that were already ready to shed.

So if you skip days, those hairs will still fall out when you eventually wash. Bottom line: wash more often to maintain a healthy scalp and reduce shedding.

Tip 5: There’s a Drugstore Shampoo That Can Help

There’s a simple, affordable shampoo that can help reduce hair shedding.

Look for one with ketoconazole as the active ingredient. It’s an antifungal commonly used for dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, but it also has a mild anti-androgen effect on the scalp. – 

Ketoconazole helps lower DHT activity on the scalp—DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is a hormone that shrinks hair follicles and contributes to androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern hair loss).

This shampoo doesn’t block DHT throughout your body, but used regularly, it can create a healthier scalp environment with less shedding.

Bonus Tip 6: Use “Men’s” Minoxidil, Even If You’re a Woman

If you’re experiencing androgenetic alopecia—or even early signs of hair thinning—and want to try topical minoxidil, go for the men’s version (5% strength), not the women’s (2% strength).

Here’s why:

• The 5% concentration is more effective
  
• It’s FDA-approved for hair loss
  

The 5% formula is more effective for scalp hair loss. Just check the active ingredients label on the box—it should clearly say 5% minoxidil.

If you experience irritation, itching, or flaking from the 5%, you can drop down to a lower concentration—but know that results may take longer and be less robust.

Final Thoughts: Hair Loss Is Common, Treatable, and Often Temporary

Hair loss is incredibly personal, but it’s also incredibly common. Whether it’s triggered by hormones, illness, stress, or buildup on the scalp—understanding what’s actually going on is the first step toward fixing it.

The good news? Some causes of hair loss are either temporary, manageable, or treatable with affordable, accessible products. You don’t need to panic—or spend a fortune chasing miracle solutions.

Gentle, consistent care goes a long way:

• Wash regularly
  
• Avoid buildup
  
• Eat well
  
• Minimize stress
  
• Be patient
  

🎥 Want to hear me talk through these tips face-to-face? Watch the full video on YouTube to get all the details in under 10 minutes.

📲 And as always, I’m sharing daily tips, product finds, and hair + skincare education over on Instagram @thebudgetdermatologist—come say hi!